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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Is my child at risk of nutrient deficiency?
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My 20 month old is a VERY fussy eater, he loves fruit and eats lots of it, however practically eats NO vegetables in his diet. Do you have any suggestions to help him get the right nutrients, should i be concerned? -
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Samantha Ling
Dietitian, Nutritionist
Samantha is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD), consultant and food and nutrition enthusiast. Samantha works in a private practice on the Central Coast, NSW, Rostant … View Profile
At 20 months old the amount of vegetables your little one needs is quite small - he/she may be eating enough already.
As a general guidelines, 1-3 year olds only need at least one serve of vegetables everyday.
1 serve = 1 cooked potato
1 cup of salad
1/2 cup cooked vegetables, canned or dried vegetables
To encourage your little one to enjoy vegetables, be a role model yourself. Children are like sponges and will generally copy anything they see others doing. Be patient - children learn to like foods they are familar with. Try getting your little one involved in the kitchen - children are more likely to try and eat something they have helped prepare. This might mean letting your little one pick a vegetable at the supermarket that is going to be prepared for dinner, letting them wash vegetables before you peel them/cut them up, growing your own vegetables etc. You could try using vegetables as wedges and dipping them in a dipping sauce, mash, grate or puree vegetables into mince dishes, if your child likes mashed potato add pumpkin, peas, sweet potato etc to make it different colours.
Keep trying different vegetables - what they don't like this week they might like next month! Good luck.
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Anonymous
Thank you so much! I think i will try the trick at the supermarket and the washing of the vegies- he loves doing that. He has started eating corn this week so that's a start.
Thanks for your great tips :)Report this post
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Samantha Ling
Dietitian, Nutritionist
Samantha is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD), consultant and food and nutrition enthusiast. Samantha works in a private practice on the Central Coast, NSW, Rostant … View Profile
That's fantastic that he's moved onto corn! Congratulations :-) and good luck.
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